Biggest Bass In Pa (Possible Hoax?) 2024

zdunham reply :

I recently checked out the biggest bass in PA for 2012 here:

http://fishandboat.com/bigfish.htm

It seems the same guy, Joseph Zajko, caught 3 of 5 biggest largemouth, 2 of the 5 biggest smallmouth, 1 of the flathead catfish, and 2 of the 5 biggest pickerel. All of these catches are listed in a month long period, with most of them coming in a two week period.

It says that he caught a largemouth over 8lbs, a smallmouth over 7 lbs, and a pickerel over 5 lbs, all on the same day at Francis E Walter Reservoir.

I find this all incredibly difficult to believe given that 7+ lb smallmouth are extremely rare, 8+ lb largemouth are extremely rare, and a 10 lb largemouth is EXTREMELY rare in PA. The 10 pounder was supposedly caught at Beltzville State Park, which I have always maintained can hold a 10 pounder. There are freakish fish in that lake. I have caught a 5 lb smallmouth there and a buddy of mine has caught a few largies over 6 there. We've seen big cats, walleyes, and stripers come out of there too. If this guy was only on this list for a 10 pounder largie out of Beltzville I would believe it. The rest of the list makes me think this whole thing is fishy though (no pun in intended).

I did a quick google search of him and found a TimesLeader.com article from 10 days ago, which has since been removed. I emailed the webmaster to find out why. His Facebook page also shows him holding various large tuna / salmon / trout.

Anyone know anything about this?

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

I saw a pic of that fish (I believe) on another forum.

Give me a minute. Not even close to the claimed weight.

A-Jay reply :

Wow - JZ is the Man !

This guy is one hot stick.

I would really like to see the photos that were included with his applications.

They must be very impressive.

btw - regarding the angler who witnessed these amazing angling accomplishments and signed the state application forms - does that name appear in these records as well ?

A-Jay

zdunham reply :

On 2/27/2013 at 5:14 AM, A-Jay said:

Wow - JZ is the Man !

This guy is one hot stick.

I would really like to see the photos that were included with his applications.

They must be very impressive.

btw - regarding the angler who witnessed these amazing angling accomplishments and signed the state application forms - does that name appear in these records as well ?

A-Jay

BS.jpg

I sense sarcasm, lol.

I found the guy on Facebook. I considered adding him or messaging him asking for pictures, but I don't want to be a stalker.

deaknh03 reply :

On 2/27/2013 at 5:14 AM, A-Jay said:

Wow - JZ is the Man !

This guy is one hot stick.

I would really like to see the photos that were included with his applications.

They must be very impressive.

btw - regarding the angler who witnessed these amazing angling accomplishments and signed the state application forms - does that name appear in these records as well ?

A-Jay

BS.jpg

That's a great picture!

Dyna7329 reply :

Beltzville is my home lake. I agree it holds some nice fish, but it's also one of the toughest lakes I've ever fished. The best I've ever managed was a 5lb pre-spawn female chock-full of eggs.

I'd like to think that there are honest people out there in the fishing community, especially in my own back yard, but I don't believe this one bit.

zdunham reply :

On 2/27/2013 at 12:10 PM, Dyna7329 said:

Beltzville is my home lake. I agree it holds some nice fish, but it's also one of the toughest lakes I've ever fished. The best I've ever managed was a 5lb pre-spawn female chock-full of eggs.

I'd like to think that there are honest people out there in the fishing community, especially in my own back yard, but I don't believe this one bit.

It can be a great lake but you are so right about how hard it is. I fish a lot of the Tuesday night, 3-hour tournaments there. When you get a really hot and sunny day and a lot of people have been out on the lake, it is nearly impossible to catch anything. When that lake is turned off, it is REALLY off.

When my friend and I do go on a day when it is empty and the weather is bad, or if we go during spawn, its potential really shows. We've caught one 4 lb 13 oz smallmouth, and several that were 3 lb 13 oz. We've had two largemouth over 6 lbs there as well. Came in second in one of the Tuesday tournaments last year when we caught two 4-pounders (largemouth) in the first 10 minutes. During spawn last year we saw multiple 6+ pound largemouth within 20 yards of each other. I know big ones exist in there, they just disappear most of the time.

If someone caught a 10 pounder out of Beltzville, I wouldn't be surprised because I'm sure it is possible there. When I first saw that 10 pounder on the list for 2012 I wasn't even suspecting anything. I only got suspicious when I saw the same guy with that many big ones.

flyfisher reply :

hard to say if it is a hoax or not but you also have to remember a lot of guys who are big fish hunters are a different breed. I like to catch big fish but don't target them exclusively, mainly because ia m not sure my ego can take it I have been pretty focused before on catching a few specific fish that i have lost or saw and i will literally camp at a spot for a day and wait for the big girl to feed and hope i am in the right spot at the right time.

Bottom line is who cares as long as it isn't the state record or anything fish stories are part of the business and if he gets his rocks off by trying to decieve everyone else in the fishing community then he has more problems than lying abotu a few fish to deal with.....

robdob reply :

Of course its a hoax. This guy is a clown why would you need attention so bad that you have to lie about catching big fish

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

On 2/27/2013 at 4:50 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:

I saw a pic of that fish (I believe) on another forum.

Give me a minute. Not even close to the claimed weight.

Disregard, the fish I saw apparently came from another lake in PA.

Bottom line with the guy on the list, no pic = no fish.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Perfect examples of this flawed reporting system:

2008 - Largest fish (caught by guess who) is 3/4" shorter length and 3/4" shorter girth and yet weighs almost a pound more than fish #2? Doubt it.

2009 - 10lb fish is #1 in the state. Length? 15 inches.

I would love to see a 15" fish that weighed 10lbs. It would completely redefine the bass term "football".

Dwight Hottle reply :

You MUST submit an application to the Commission's Angler Award Program to be considered for this listing. These are the largest 5 fish, by weight, submitted in the Senior Angler and Junior Angler categories only. Lists are not provided for Husky Musky, First Fish, and Catch & Release categories. Note weights and sizes are not verified, all submissions accepted on the honor system.

I have always taken this listing with a grain of salt. Anyone can submit a fish without verification. No picture, no witness, NO BRAGGING.

zdunham reply :

On 2/28/2013 at 2:39 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

You MUST submit an application to the Commission's Angler Award Program to be considered for this listing. These are the largest 5 fish, by weight, submitted in the Senior Angler and Junior Angler categories only. Lists are not provided for Husky Musky, First Fish, and Catch & Release categories. Note weights and sizes are not verified, all submissions accepted on the honor system.

I have always taken this listing with a grain of salt. Anyone can submit a fish without verification. No picture, no witness, NO BRAGGING.

AHA! I did not see that note before. I looked on the guy's Facebook page and there are no giant bass pictures. Someone always has to ruin the honor system. Whoever put those up without even questioning it is a moron.

jhoffman reply :

Biggest bass of 2010...10lb 1oz LMB... caught on powerbait... lol

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

On 2/28/2013 at 3:04 AM, jhoffman said:
Biggest bass of 2010...10lb 1oz LMB... caught on powerbait... lol

I have a harder time believing in 10lb PA bass than I do catching them on Powerbait, Seriously.

Texas state record is 18 and change, caught on a dang crappie jig. LOL

zdunham reply :

On 2/28/2013 at 4:33 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:

I have a harder time believing in 10lb PA bass than I do catching them on Powerbait, Seriously.

Texas state record is 18 and change, caught on a dang crappie jig. LOL

Yeah, a lot of records are caught on strange baits. I would assume a freak fish is not doing the same thing as the others for multiple reasons.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

PA's got DD's in it. I know I have seen one legit 10 swimming. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with me.

I'll settle for these though...

zdunham reply :

NICE pics. Here are two of my big ones: 6 lb 10 oz largie is my biggest, 4 lb 13 oz smallie, also my biggest. In a tournament last summer we caught one that was 5 lb 11 oz on our scale but 6.54 lbs on the official scale. Our scale may have been off for those other fish so you tell me if you think they are bigger. Largie was caught at Wallenpaupack, smallie at beltzville. Two give perspective on how long that smallie is, I am 5'11".

Little John reply :

Hello new to this forum,

I love fishing for all species of fish, but the bass is my favorite. Large mouth, small mouth, striped bass, sea bass, rock bass, etc. The largemouth record is over 11 pounds, Since 2009 all the bass in the # 1 spot have been between 8 and 10 pounds. So the larger bass do exist. Rare I dont think so because just because know one see's them that much doesn't mean they are not there. Just like those giant deer at Cabellas. I just wanted to say that I have several angler awards in several states and there is no honor system in the PA angler award rules and regs. The 10 pound fish that was 15" mentioned above had to be a type O. Just a few rules and regs to bring some insite;

4. Kept fish must be weighed and measured by fishing license agents, Official
Weighing Stations, or tackle stores or authorized employees of the Pennsylvania
Fish & Boat Commission.
5. Catch-and-release and First Fish catches must be witnessed.
6. Measurements must be made with a metal ruler or tape measure. Measure
from tip of the nose (with closed mouth) to tip of the tail.
7. Photographs. For kept fish: A clear, side-view photograph of the fish
IS required UNLESS its species has been verified by an official weighing station
or authorized employee of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

10. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission reserves the right to investigate
the identification, methods used in catching, and the accuracy of measurement
and weighing. It also reserves the right to reject any application.

I just wanted to say that all info is processed and viewed by a member of the PA Fish & Boat Commission because I have and know people that have been denied. This JZ person must have sent in the proper info to be accepted. As far as JZ goes, I looked at the artilcle the other day in the Wilksborough Leader or something like that along with the PA Fish & Boat Commisiion website it said he spends 30+ days fishing those lakes from sun up to sun down and uses a boat with a fish finder and live bait. I belive that there are big fish out there and if that person spends alot of time on the water and knows were to go and fishes the same lake all the time and know where, when and how to catch these fish, then it is possible for these fish to exist and this person to be telling the truth. Fishing is all about being in the right place at the right time, and having the right knowledge, and tackle to do the very best you can do at that time. I was told a long time ago from one of my Dad's friends that even the most advanced fisherman with the most advanced gear wont catch fish if there is none ther to catch but if they are ther you have to be good enough to fool thm into the strike and have the skill to land them. I feel thats true so I just think JZ was in the right place those days because of experience. One day I should be so lucky!!

Good Luck fishing to all!

zdunham reply :

It says right on the PA Fish and Boat website that it is based on the honor system. Explain that.

Weights and sizes are verified for an actual state record, not for those lists. Fish that big ARE rare. If you think an 8-10 lb largemouth is a common fish in the north, you need to rethink what you know.

tomustang reply :

He shows he can photograph those fish on facebook, but can't do it for rare large bass and crappie? Sounds too iffy that he would get sizes for bragging but not photos, I would think above all a photo would do it.

tomustang reply :

Even Dwight's avatar looks larger than the states smallie record http://fishandboat.com/images/staterecord/bass_small1997.jpg

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Forgot this one....

J Francho reply :

On 2/28/2013 at 9:10 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:

Forgot this one....

untitled.jpg

Dude, that fish's eyeball is as big as yours!

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

On 2/28/2013 at 10:33 PM, J Francho said:
Dude, that fish's eyeball is as big as yours!

LOL, yeah that was a pretty good one.

Dwight Hottle reply :

Little John is confusing the state record requirements with Pa fish & boat commission angler award program summary. Heck for all we know little john could be JZ. There are so many discrepancies in the angler award program summary that it is not worth the paper it is printed on. Anyone can say they caught whatever & it weighed & measured whatever. The really bogus ones have no clue what a given weight should correspond to length & girth measurements. Great program but without verification it is meaningless because of the dishonest people who submit bogus weights & measurements.

A-Jay reply :

On 3/1/2013 at 12:33 AM, Dwight Hottle said:
Little John is confusing the state record requirements with Pa fish & boat commission angler award program summary. Heck for all we know little john could be JZ. There are so many discrepancies in the angler award program summary that it is not worth the paper it is printed on. Anyone can say they caught whatever & it weighed & measured whatever. The really bogus ones have no clue what a given weight should correspond to length & girth measurements. Great program but without verification it is meaningless because of the dishonest people who submit bogus weights & measurements.

Yup -

That publication has a lot in common with The National Enquirer.

A-Jay

Dwight Hottle reply :

If a new record large mouth comes out of PA it could be by speedbead based on the big fish bite he is enjoying on those swim baits.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Ya never know.

I live about three miles from where the current state record was caught (albeit in 1983). Guess anything's possible though.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Thanks for the vote of confidence Dwight.

basser89 reply :

On 3/1/2013 at 1:18 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:

Ya never know.

I live about three miles from where the current state record was caught (albeit in 1983). Guess anything's possible though.

Why was I thinking the lake the state record was caught is now completely dry?

J Francho reply :

On 2/28/2013 at 11:32 AM, Little John said:

Hello new to this forum,

I love fishing for all species of fish, but the bass is my favorite. Large mouth, small mouth, striped bass, sea bass, rock bass, etc. The largemouth record is over 11 pounds, Since 2009 all the bass in the # 1 spot have been between 8 and 10 pounds. So the larger bass do exist. Rare I dont think so because just because know one see's them that much doesn't mean they are not there. Just like those giant deer at Cabellas. I just wanted to say that I have several angler awards in several states and there is no honor system in the PA angler award rules and regs. The 10 pound fish that was 15" mentioned above had to be a type O. Just a few rules and regs to bring some insite;

4. Kept fish must be weighed and measured by fishing license agents, Official

Weighing Stations, or tackle stores or authorized employees of the Pennsylvania

Fish & Boat Commission.

5. Catch-and-release and First Fish catches must be witnessed.

6. Measurements must be made with a metal ruler or tape measure. Measure

from tip of the nose (with closed mouth) to tip of the tail.

7. Photographs. For kept fish: A clear, side-view photograph of the fish

IS required UNLESS its species has been verified by an official weighing station

or authorized employee of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

10. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission reserves the right to investigate

the identification, methods used in catching, and the accuracy of measurement

and weighing. It also reserves the right to reject any application.

I just wanted to say that all info is processed and viewed by a member of the PA Fish & Boat Commission because I have and know people that have been denied. This JZ person must have sent in the proper info to be accepted. As far as JZ goes, I looked at the artilcle the other day in the Wilksborough Leader or something like that along with the PA Fish & Boat Commisiion website it said he spends 30+ days fishing those lakes from sun up to sun down and uses a boat with a fish finder and live bait. I belive that there are big fish out there and if that person spends alot of time on the water and knows were to go and fishes the same lake all the time and know where, when and how to catch these fish, then it is possible for these fish to exist and this person to be telling the truth. Fishing is all about being in the right place at the right time, and having the right knowledge, and tackle to do the very best you can do at that time. I was told a long time ago from one of my Dad's friends that even the most advanced fisherman with the most advanced gear wont catch fish if there is none ther to catch but if they are ther you have to be good enough to fool thm into the strike and have the skill to land them. I feel thats true so I just think JZ was in the right place those days because of experience. One day I should be so lucky!!

Good Luck fishing to all!

Welcome to the forum, Joseph J. Zajko. Your IP puts you in Philly, and your email is associated with ZBC Contracting. Rather than shill for yourself, why don't you post up some proof of your catches?

Dwight Hottle reply :

I love it. Thanks J.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

On 3/1/2013 at 1:42 AM, basser89 said:
Why was I thinking the lake the state record was caught is now completely dry?

The lake is dry but the fish didn't just vanish brotha.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

On 3/1/2013 at 1:44 AM, J Francho said:
Welcome to the forum, Joseph J. Zajko. Your IP puts you in Philly, and your email is associated with ZBC Contracting. Rather than shill for yourself, why don't you post up some proof of your catches?

LOL, you scare me sometimes.

basser89 reply :

On 3/1/2013 at 1:53 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:
The lake is dry but the fish didn't just vanish brotha.

And I believe I know where those fish were placed and I've fished there once. I lost a GOOD one on that outing too. LOL!

Teal reply :

On 3/1/2013 at 1:53 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:
LOL, you scare me sometimes.

Ditto

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

On 3/1/2013 at 2:05 AM, basser89 said:
And I believe I know where those fish were placed and I've fished there once. I lost a GOOD one on that outing too. LOL!

You've got my number. Just got to get your butt up to PA this spring/summer. LOL

A-Jay reply :

Classic - you just never know what each day is going to bring.

The Internet does indeed seem to shrink our world considerably.

If it were any one of us - we would have registered and posted shots of these fish without being prompted to do so.

I hope to see a few photos of these big bass here.

And btw - I'd like to make it public knowledge and state that I do like J Franco and never want to be on his bad side.

A-Jay

zdunham reply :

This has gotten fun. I hope JZ posts some pictures of these beasts!

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Pics! Pics! Pics! Pics! Pics!

jhoffman reply :

Pics or it didnt happen....

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Sums it up perfectly:

robdob reply :

Without a picture there was no fish. Did you guys see the 20 pounder I caught last week? I dont have a picture but trust me it was almost a world record. 20 lbers aren't rare. just cause we don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there, just like those bass at bass pro shops! ahhahahahahahahha

Munkin reply :

I am not sure about some of those weights? Below are the weights of the 5 biggest LM I have caught and either I catch skinny fish or something is off?

24.5" I estimated about 8 even (left the scale in the truck)

23.5" 6-7

23" 6-3

22.5" 6-1

22" 5-9

Allen

robdob reply :

On 3/3/2013 at 1:12 PM, Munkin said:

I am not sure about some of those weights? Below are the weights of the 5 biggest LM I have caught and either I catch skinny fish or something is off?

24.5" I estimated about 8 even (left the scale in the truck)

23.5" 6-7

23" 6-3

22.5" 6-1

22" 5-9

Allen

you aren't catching skinny fish. you're actually weighing your fish. J Zajcko or however its spelled is not weighing his fish.. maybe in his mind he is picturing himself weighing fish of that size but not in reality. JZ, if the fish are real show us pics.

deaknh03 reply :

I think I read somewhere that he said he grappled all those fish as well.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

On 3/5/2013 at 6:33 AM, deaknh03 said:
I think I read somewhere that he said he grappled all those fish as well.

With his feet, in 39 degree water during a blizzard hurricane! The ground was shaking, so there may have been an earthquake but that has yet to be confirmed. The other stuff, completely true.

IT WAS EPIC!

deaknh03 reply :

On 3/5/2013 at 9:07 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:

With his feet, in 39 degree water during a blizzard hurricane! The ground was shaking, so there may have been an earthquake but that has yet to be confirmed. The other stuff, completely true.

IT WAS EPIC!

..and he has no feet, it was unbelievable! (literally)

Phish reply :

Here's that article from "the Wilkeborough Leader or something like that" http://www.timesleader.com/article/20130216/news/302169998

Wish these writers would first establish that these not being the biggest fish caught each year, just the "best estimates" reported by random people without requiring jack for proof.

I'm sure there were dozens of Erie smallies that could legitimately occupy the top five nearly every year, if anyone cared to report them.

tomustang reply :

On 3/3/2013 at 1:12 PM, Munkin said:

I am not sure about some of those weights? Below are the weights of the 5 biggest LM I have caught and either I catch skinny fish or something is off?

24.5" I estimated about 8 even (left the scale in the truck)

23.5" 6-7

23" 6-3

22.5" 6-1

22" 5-9

Allen

Well you're still south of the mason-dixon, see up here in pennsyltucky our 24" are 5lbers, we grow our dinks big up here! It also goes back to normal once it hits new york

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

On 3/6/2013 at 5:30 PM, Phish said:

Here's that article from "the Wilkeborough Leader or something like that" http://www.timesleader.com/article/20130216/news/302169998

Wish these writers would first establish that these not being the biggest fish caught each year, just the "best estimates" reported by random people without requiring jack for proof.

I'm sure there were dozens of Erie smallies that could legitimately occupy the top five nearly every year, if anyone cared to report them.

Gotta love that article, probably one of his relatives wrote it. LOL

As a reporter, you think the first question might be, "Do you have any pictures?" Ridiculous.

J Francho reply :

On 3/6/2013 at 9:31 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:
As a reporter, you think the first question might be, "Do you have any pictures?" Ridiculous.

Yes, ridiculous. I'm done with this one. Mr. Zajko can send any proof to me directly.

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